Overshoe and combined overshoe and sock and methods of using

ABSTRACT

Overshoes (tenniesocks) are described herein that can be placed over a shoe wherein the overshoe becomes taut when placed over the shoe so as to give the appearance of a different shoe. The overshoe may have a sock associated with the overshoe, wherein the sock is designed to fit in the shoe. The overshoe may also comprise mounds or craters, and/or snap fastener parts that are correspondingly positioned to craters or mounds, and/or snap fastener parts on the shoe so that the overshoe can attach to and fit tautly over a shoe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to overshoes and/or the combination of a pair of overshoes and socks wherein the overshoe and the sock are connected to or operationally connected to each other. The overshoe and the overshoe/sock combination can be used with shoes so as to change the appearance of a pair of shoes and to allow the shoe owner to have socks that appropriately match the various different appearances of the shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that the first shoes were first worn by hominids around 40,000 years ago. Sandals throughout the history of mankind have probably been the most common type of shoe. However, the first shoes consistently worn by Homo sapiens were in Mesopotamia between the years of 1200-1600 BC. These shoes were soft shoes made of wrap around leather, and were similar to moccasins. Early shoes in this period were worn by those people who were of the upper class while the poor and slaves tended to go barefoot.

The first socks were believed to have been made of animal skins and pelts tied around the ankle and are dated to around 5000 BC. The first commonly worn sock was a type of sock known as a piloi, which was believed to have been worn by the Greeks in the 8^(th) century BC. The piloi was made of matted animal hair and was known to have been worn with the sandals of the day. Around the 5^(th) century BC, the It was believed that these early “socks” were crafted in ancient Egypt. The early Romans wrapped their feet in strips of leather or woven fabric.

Around 200 AD, the Romans started sewing pieces of fabric together to make what we currently consider to be the modern socks that are present today. Woolen socks were believed to have been used by the inhabitants of Northumbria (what is now northern England) around the same time (i.e., 200 AD).

During the middle ages, pants' legs were extended and the socks worn were generally brightly colored cloth covering the lower part of the leg. Garters were worn in connection with these socks as elastic socks had not yet been invented. In the 12^(th) century, Europe's working class was constructing socks that were knitted while the socks of noble men tended to be of a finer hosiery.

Foot bound shoes were popular in some of the Asian countries around 1100 and rounded toes were commonly found on shoes around 1450. Around 1500, square-toed shoes were popular with the elite during the Renaissance period in Europe, which was a signifier of both wealth and power. As time progressed in the European baroque period, the upper class tended to wear shoes that had heels that were made of wood whereas the working class had heavy black leather heels.

In the 18^(th) century, fabric shoes were all the rage. Shoe laces and eyelets to contain the shoe laces were added to shoes around 1790 in England. It was discovered that with the addition of shoe laces that in order to protect the feet, tongues were added to shoes. Tongues also made the shoes easier to put on and take off as the tongue is attached at the throatline of the quarter and/or vamp of the shoe but is not attached to the quarter and/or vamp where eyelets typically reside. That is, the tongue was attached to the shoe at the bottom of the tongue but at no other place. With most shoes, when the laces are loosened, the tongue's design allows the shoe opening to be sufficiently large so that a foot can fit easily into (or alternatively, be easily removed from) a shoe. In the early 1800s, shoemakers began to differentiate between men's and women's shoes. Boots and cloth topped shoes also were popular during this period.

Until around 1850, shoes were made straight as that there was no differentiation between a left shoe and a right shoe. It was found that by differentiating between a right footed shoe and a left footed shoe, the shoes became more comfortable as they were designed to fit on the respective foot for which the shoe was designed.

In 1851, Elias Howe received a US patent on an Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure, which was one of the forerunners to the zipper. However, Howe did not use it because he was focused more on his lockstitch sewing machine. Accordingly, it wasn't until 1893 that a forerunner to the zipper made its product debut at the World's fair in Chicago. Being familiar with the work of his predecessors, the modern day zipper was really developed by Swede Gideon Sundback in 1913.

Around 1839, vulcanized rubber was discovered by Charles Goodyear, which meant that rubber objects could be created that was easily molded, durable, and tough. Although primitive galoshes may have originated 4500 years ago when separate leggings may have been wrapped over moccasins to protect the wearer from cold, rain, and prickly plants and the American Indians may have used un-vulcanized rubber in their footwear, it wasn't until vulcanized rubber was discovered that the modern day overshoe was discovered and used. The galoshes of those times and of today are clumsily fitted over the shoe that they are to be placed over, making it difficult for the wearer to walk. Moreover, the galoshes over history (up until the present invention) tend to not be aesthetically pleasing.

In 1938, nylon was invented and socks that were made of a nylon cotton blend had greater strength and elasticity. Polyamide nylon cotton blends further improved the socks.

Technological changes in the 20^(th) century meant the shoes could be made more easily and mass produced, thereby leading to drastic changes in shoe design. After World War 2, women's shoes were made to highlight the foot by adding arches to the shoe and by adding narrower heels.

Today, there is a thriving market for new sneakers. Often, purchasers of these shoes do not wear the shoes but simply maintain them in the shoe box in which they are sold. The shoes may continue to appreciate in value to an extent that is greater than owning real estate, securities, commodities, or other personal property. The value of sneakers can fluctuate greatly and it may be hard to predict which sneakers are going to increase and/or hold their value. Investors in sneakers may want to be able to change the look of the sneaker if the value does not hold. The initial purchase price of these sneakers may be prohibitively expensive meaning that a teenage purchaser may barely be able to afford to purchase one set of sneakers for him/herself. The consumers that actually purchase a pair of sneakers to wear them may want to have flexibility to change the look of the pair of shoes so that it appears that they have more than one pair of sneakers.

The style conscious consumer may also want to wear appropriately matching socks with their sneakers (e.g., where the socks match the sneakers). Thus, there is a need for these consumers that purchase shoes to wear them have socks that match the shoes. Unfortunately, when doing laundry, there is a tendency for individual socks to disappear meaning that the style conscious consumer has to either discard the other non-paired sock or have several pairs of the same style sock so that the missing sock can be replaced. If the shoes and/or socks are expensive, the style conscious consumer with limited financial means is afforded fewer opportunities to wear a plurality of different style shoe and sock combinations.

Thus, there is a need for consumers to be able to wear a plurality of different shoe and sock styles wherein the consumer can change the appearance of the shoes and/or socks so that people that encounter said consumer will believe that the consumer has many different shoe and sock combinations. There is also a need for reducing expenses of consumers who want to be afforded this opportunity to wear this plurality of shoes/socks. The present invention was contemplated and designed with these considerations in mind.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combination of a pair of overshoes and socks and to an overshoe that is taut when placed over a shoe. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an overshoe and a sock that are connected to each other or at least operationally connected to each other. Each overshoe (e.g., a left foot overshoe and a right foot overshoe) may be specially adapted to fit on a particular shoe to allow the particular overshoe to be attached to the shoe thus changing the appearance of the shoe. In one variation, the overshoe/sock combination may allow the shoe owner to have socks that appropriately match the various different appearances of the shoes. In other variations, the socks may be able to be exchanged so that different sock/overshoe combinations can be realized affording the shoe owner the ability to have a greater plurality of overshoe sock combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a shoe of the present invention that has craters that allows the overshoe to snap into the shoe.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe of the invention wherein the shoe comprises craters on the sides of the sole that allows the overshoe to snap onto the shoe.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the overshoe with a sock.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the overshoe with a sock that is attached to the overshoe around the circumference or perimeter of the overshoe topline foot opening.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention wherein the overshoe/sock combination and the shoe are shown.

FIG. 6 shows a front side perspective view of an embodiment of the overshoe with the sock outside the shoe.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the overshoe is present over the shoe and the sock is shown as being inserted in the shoe.

FIG. 8 shows a back end view of an embodiment of the invention with the sock attached to the overshoe at the one or more sock overshoe attachment points and the sock present outside the shoe.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment showing the overshoe from the back side with the sock outside the shoe and snap fasteners on the shoe.

FIG. 10 shows a top down view of the open overshoe.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the overshoe that has been placed over the shoe and the sock is in the shoe.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of an overshoe (i.e., tenniesock) with mounds that attach to a shoe, wherein the overshoe does not have a sock associated with it that goes in the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pair of overshoes that do not have a sock associated with each overshoe as well as a combination of a pair of overshoes and socks (i.e., an overshoe that has a sock associated with it). In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an overshoe that fits snuggly over a shoe (i.e., a tenniesock), wherein the sole of the overshoe has mounds or craters that attach to correspondingly positioned craters or mounds, respectively, present on the shoe. The mounds or craters on the overshoe can be pressed into correspondingly positioned craters or mounds, respectively, on the sole of the shoe that allow the bottom of the overshoe to attach (in a snap fit like manner) to the bottom of the shoe. The uppers of the overshoe are a material that has good stretchability so that when the bottom of the overshoe attaches to the bottom of the shoe, the uppers are taut on the shoe, giving the appearance of a new shoe (i.e., a tenniesock). Herein, “tenniesock” refers to an overshoe that may or may not have a sock associated with it, and the term “tenniesock” may be used to describe the overshoe because the overshoe may have sock-like properties and the overshoe is designed in at least one embodiment to fit over tennis shoes. When the “tenniesock” overshoe is placed over a tennis shoe, the tennis shoe may acquire a completely new look. The tautness of the tenniesock placed over a tennis shoe not only gives it a new look, but the new look apes the appearance of a new tennis shoe.

In an embodiment, the present invention also relates to an overshoe and a sock that are connected to each other or at least operationally connected to each other. Each overshoe (e.g., a left foot overshoe and a right foot overshoe) may be specially adapted to fit on a particular shoe to allow the particular overshoe to be attached to the shoe thus changing the appearance of the shoe. In a variation, the overshoe may be designed so that a right overshoe is designed to fit over a right shoe and a left overshoe is designed to fit over a left shoe. In one variation, the overshoe/sock combination may allow the shoe owner to have socks that appropriately match the various different appearances of the shoes. In variations, the socks may be able to be exchanged so that different sock/overshoe combinations can be realized affording the shoe owner the ability to have a greater plurality of overshoe sock combinations.

An overshoe is not a shoe itself but is merely material that is designed to be worn over a shoe. Potential materials that can be used for the overshoe are discussed infra.

In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to an overshoe/sock combination wherein the sock is adhered/affixed to the overshoe. In an embodiment, the overshoe comes in a substantially planar form that is malleable so that it can be fitted over a shoe. Alternatively, at least a portion of the overshoe comes in a substantially planar form that can be fitted over a shoe. The planar or substantially planar overshoe that is malleable can be bent so that it fits over the shoe in which it is designed to fit. In one embodiment, the overshoe when placed over the shoe is designed so that it fits over the shoe snugly/tautly. Accordingly, the overshoe may come in sizes so that it is designed to snugly fit over the corresponding shoe of the same size. For example, if a consumer owns and wears a shoe that is a size 9, the overshoe would also come as a size 9 and be designed so that it fits snugly over the size 9 shoe. Because the overshoe is designed to fit snugly over the shoe, it may be designed so as to give the appearance of simply being a different shoe (that is essentially the same size as the shoe). Thus, a consumer that uses this overshoe can change the color, or the style of the shoe simply by putting the same size overshoe over the shoe.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may not come in a substantially planar form but rather in a shape that substantially the same as a shoe. The overshoe may have stretchability associated with it that allows the overshoe to be stretched over and fit on the shoe. The overshoe should have an opening large enough to accommodate that shoe that is to fit into it. The overshoe may have designs associated with it so that when it is placed over the shoe, the overshoe gives the appearance of a shoe. In an embodiment, the overshoe (i.e., tennieshoe) may possess qualities that are similar to a typical sock (like stretchability) so that it can be stretched over a shoe and then when it is in place over the shoe, the overshoes stretchability contracts so that it is taut against the shoe.

In an embodiment, the eye stay of the shoe may comprise a plurality of backs of snap fastener parts wherein the back part of a snap fastener is on the shoe eye stay, and the overshoe comprises the appropriately and correspondingly positioned front parts of the snap fasteners so that the overshoe, once positioned and appropriately bent, can be snapped onto the shoe. For example, the shoe may contain the back part of the snap fastener comprising studs and eyelets, wherein each stud and eyelet unit is positioned at equal intervals going down the eye stay of the shoe (towards the front of the shoe). The overshoe at the same intervals would have the front part of the snap fastener comprising the button/cap and socket units from a snap fastener that allow the overshoe to be positioned and snapped onto the shoe (see FIG. 9 ). The buttons on the overshoe should be appropriately picked so as to give the overshoe a pleasing aesthetic form when it is snapped on the shoe. Similarly, the shoe should contain studs and eyelets so that they are aesthetically pleasing so that the shoe looks nice when the overshoe is not over it.

In an embodiment, the shoe is designed so as to accommodate the overshoe. FIG. 1 shows the bottom sole 15 of a shoe (looking at the shoe from the bottom) wherein the shoe 2 has craters 16 in the sole that allows an overshoe, which has an equal number of corresponding mounds (not shown in FIG. 1 ) in the overshoe to snap into the craters. The positions of the mounds and the size of the mounds are ideally positioned and sized so as to fit and snap into each of the corresponding craters 16 in the shoe 2. In an embodiment, because of the number and exact size of the craters and mounds, when each mound is positioned in each crater, the effect is a snap fit that allows the overshoe 1 to be securely fastened to the shoe 2. Although not shown, it should be understood that another embodiment might allow hook and loop means of fastening/adhering/affixing the overshoe 1 to the shoe 2. The overshoe may in an alternate embodiment optionally have craters and the shoe have mounds that allow the same snap fit to occur.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a shoe that additionally has craters 16 along the sides of the sole 15 of the shoe 2. In an embodiment, the overshoe 1 (as seen in FIG. 3 ) will have mounds 17 that are on the inside of the overshoe that allow the overshoe to snap into place on the shoe because the craters 16 on the shoe (as seen in FIG. 2 ) have correspondingly positioned and sized mounds 17 (as seen in FIG. 3 ) on the overshoe that allow each of the mounds 17 on the overshoe 1 to snap into each of the craters 16 on the shoe 2. It should be noted that the positions of the two can be equally reversed so that the craters are positioned on the overshoe and the mounds appear on the shoe. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3 , the overshoe also contains a sock 12 that is a part of the overshoe/sock combination. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3 , the sock is circumferentially attached/affixed at the topline 18 opening of the overshoe at what would correspondingly be the topline (see FIG. 2 ) of the shoe. When the overshoe 1 is snapped onto the shoe 2, the sock 12 can then be inverted so that it is positioned in the shoe 2 and ready to receive a wearer's foot. It should be noted that in an embodiment, the overshoe 1 also may contain snap fasteners 5 that allow the overshoe 1 to be further snapped onto the shoe 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the overshoe 1, which more clearly shows how the sock 12 is affixed to the topline 18 of the overshoe 1. FIG. 4 shows the back side of the mounds 17 that are positioned to fit into the corresponding craters 16 on the shoe 2. FIG. 4 shows a tongue 19, which may be a part of the overshoe or optionally and/or additionally the shoe as well as snap fasteners 5 that allow the overshoe 1 to be further secured so a shoe 2. The overshoe 1 in this embodiment may also have a slit 21 that allows the shoe 2 to be inserted into the overshoe. The slit 21 should be sufficiently big so as to allow the passage of shoe 2 into overshoe 1. Because the overshoe 1 is going to be the outermost layer it may be preferred to have the overshoe contain the buttons 4 a of the snap fasteners 5 as they tend to be the most aesthetically pleasing part of the snap fastener. However, it should be understood that any configuration of the snap fasteners 5 is contemplated and within the scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that there should always be a means of getting the shoe into the overshoe whether that be by a slit or an opening in the overshoe. In an embodiment, the slit may have a zipper that can be closed once the overshoe is placed over the shoe. Alternatively, the overshoe may not have a slit or opening but may be configured in a way that the overshoe is designed to close around a shoe as described herein.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the overshoe being placed upon the shoe. In this embodiment, the overshoe comprises a sole, and craters 16 that attach to mounds 17 on a point of the shoe near the sole. The sock 12 is also attached to the overshoe 1 and the sock 12 can be inserted into the shoe 2 once the overshoe 1 is attached to the shoe 2. In this embodiment, the overshoe sole does not contain craters or mounds but the craters are positioned on the inner and outer sides so that the craters attach to mounds that are present on the side (near the bottom) of the shoe.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the overshoe 1 that has been added to the shoe. Because the overshoe 1 is covering the shoe, the shoe cannot be seen as it is obscured by the overshoe in FIG. 6 (i.e., it is being covered by the overshoe). The sock 12 is present and attached to the overshoe 1 at around the circumference or perimeter of the overshoe topline foot opening. The sock 12 can simply be inverted as it is inserted into the shoe allowing a wearer to insert his/her foot into the sock (which is in the shoe).

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the overshoe that has been added to the shoe with the sock 12 shown inside the shoe.

In an embodiment, FIG. 8 shows the back of the overshoe wherein the back of the overshoe 1 is attached to the sock 12 at one or more sock overshoe attachment points 14. The means of attaching the sock to the overshoe are discussed infra.

FIG. 9 shows the overshoe 1 covering the shoe 2 (i.e., the overshoe is in the closed position). As part of the overshoe, one should note the buttons 4 a from the snap fasteners 5 that allow the overshoe to be snap fastened to the shoe. The sockets 4 b are on the opposite side of each of the buttons 4 a and are operationally attached to the buttons 4 a allowing the buttons to remain in place. When the sockets 4 b are depressed on to the corresponding studs 5 a (shown in FIG. 12 ) on the shoes they are able to snap fasten the overshoe 1 onto the shoe 2. The sockets 4 b are shown in FIG. 10 but not shown in FIG. 9 because the drawing shows the outside upper 8 and inside upper 10 from the inside of the overshoe. FIG. 9 shows the sock 12 attached to the overshoe and the sock 12 is positioned so that sock hole 13 is facing the heel counter 7 of the shoe. When the shoe 2 is inside the overshoe 1, the wearer of the shoe 2 and overshoe 1 can insert the wearer's foot into the sock hole 13 after the sock 12 has been placed onto the inside of the shoe 2.

FIG. 10 shows a top down view of a right footed overshoe in the absence of the shoe (i.e., the overshoe is in the open position). It should be noted that the overshoe is substantially planar in form and the overshoe can be bent at the intersection of the heel and the inside upper 11 and at the intersection of the heel and the outside upper 9 of the overshoe 1. In FIG. 10 , the overshoe is shown without the sock but it should be understood that the sock 12 may be attached to the overshoe 1 as shown in FIG. 9 at one or more sock overshoe attachment points 14 on the heel counter 7 of the overshoe 1. In an embodiment, the sock 12 may be inserted into the shoe 2 when the overshoe 1 covers the shoe 2. The wearer inserts the appropriate foot into the sock hole 13 when the sock 12 is in the shoe. Because the sock 12 is attached to the overshoe at the one or more sock overshoe attachment points 14, the wearer can fit the appropriate foot into the sock 12 without the sock sinking into the shoe 1.

It should be understood that the one or more sock overshoe attachment points 14 can be a plurality of attachment points or it can be one long continuous attachment line between the sock 12 and the overshoe 1. Thus, it should be understood that the sock can be attached to the overshoe in any of a number of manners. The sock can either be attached at the back of the overshoe or as described infra, it can be attached at the perimeter or circumference of the topline of the overshoe.

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 show that the overshoe can be connected to the shoe 2 by snap fasteners 5 which comprise the accompanying snap buttons 4 a, but it should be understood that in various embodiments, the overshoe can be connected to the shoe by any of a plurality of means including by plastic buttons, zippers, and hook and loop fasteners. The shoe should have on it the corresponding snap sockets 4 b appropriately positioned to accommodate the snap buttons 4 a. In an embodiment, the means of attachment does not prevent the overshoe from sitting snuggly against the shoe, giving the appearance that the overshoe is not even present (i.e., the overshoe looks exactly like a shoe as seen in FIG. 11 ).

In an embodiment and as shown in FIG. 12 , the overshoe 1 may be similar to the overshoe that is shown in FIG. 11 but instead of the snap fasteners 4 a, 5 that are shown in FIG. 11 , the overshoe may be an overshoe that does not contain any snap fasteners but has craters 16 (not shown) or mounds 17 on the inside sole of the overshoe that would snap into corresponding mounds 17 or craters 16, respectively on the sole of the shoe. The upper 8 on the overshoe would be a flexible stretchable material that would allow the shoe to fit in hole 20, which is accommodated by the stretchability of the upper 8. Once, the shoe is placed into the hole, the mounds 17 snap into correspondingly positioned craters 16 on the shoe. The overshoe 1 may have different materials for the sole of the overshoe and the upper 8, with the sole 15 of the overshoe being made of the same material of typical shoe soles and the upper being made of a material as discussed herein that allows the upper 8 to have stretchability. This stretchability allows the uppers to be taut against the shoe, which means that the shoe can acquire a new appearance without having to purchase a new shoe.

Thus, the present invention has several embodiments and each of the features of these embodiments can be combined with any of the features of the other several embodiments as long as they are not incompatible with each other. For example, the overshoe may or may not contain a sock associated with it. The overshoe may have mounds or craters and optionally contain snap fasteners.

In some embodiments, the overshoe may come in a plurality of colors and a wearer may own a plurality of different color overshoes. Thus, a wearer can change out one overshoe for another overshoe thereby giving the appearance of having several different shoes (because the overshoe once placed over the shoe looks like it is a shoe). The sock 12 that is attached to the overshoe 1 at the one or more sock overshoe attachment points 14 may be a color that matches the color of the overshoe. Although not shown, it should be understood that the overshoe and/or the sock may also contain a logo on it or other design patterns to make the overshoe aesthetically pleasing.

The overshoe may be comprised of any of a plurality of materials. In one variation, the outside upper 8 and the inside upper 10 may comprise stretchable fabric. For example, the outside upper 8 and the inside upper 10 may comprise a composition that is part spandex (a polyether-polyurea copolymer) and part polyester. In an embodiment, the uppers may comprise between 5-50% spandex and 95-50% polyester by weight. In a variation, the uppers comprise 10% spandex and 90% polyester. The greater the amount of polyester, the stronger the overshoe material and the greater the amount of spandex, the more stretchable the fabric is. In a variation, the material of the uppers may comprise a spandex canvas (a linen and/or cotton and polyvinyl chloride) mix. In a variation, the uppers may comprise completely canvas as canvas tends to have some stretchability to it and tends to be quite durable.

In a variation, the uppers may comprise a plastic that has a Tg (glass transition temperature) that is less than room temperature (about 20° C.). Examples of plastics that can be used include polypropylene or polyethylene, including high density and low density polyethylenes, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate derivatives, and copolymers thereof. High density polyethylenes tend to be quite bendable but also very strong. Polyesters can also be used because they have cloth like qualities that are also stretchable but strong at the same time. It should be understood that copolymers or terpolymers of these various plastics may be used.

One can use relatively high amounts of hydroxyvalerate to lower the melting points of plastics which leads to an increase in processability and flexibility of the uppers. In a variation, these plastics may also be blended with rubber (natural or synthetic (such as vulcanized rubber)) to incorporate rubber-like properties to the plastics allowing for the uppers of the overshoe to be bendable so that they can be made to fit the shape of the shoe that they are to cover. If rubber is to be used, a greater number of plastics can be used that have glass transition temperatures that are greater than room temperature because the plastic rubber combination will have a combination of rubber and plastic characteristics. The uppers should be of a thickness that provides sufficient strength so as to not easily break and to also allow incorporation of snap fasteners without breakage but also affords the uppers to have bendability so that they can be stretched over a shoe.

In a variation, the heel counter 7 may be made of a more rigid plastic because it may not need to be bent. In this variation, the heel counter may be substantially perpendicular to the rest of the overshoe when the overshoe is present in the open state (i.e., when the overshoe is not present over the shoe). The heel counter 7 may be more rigid because it has the sock attached to it at the sock overshoe attachment points 14. The rigidity of the heel counter should be sufficient so as to provide the heel counter with good strength but sufficiently flexible so that the heel counter does not hurt the wearer when the overshoe is present over the shoe. The heel counter should also be sufficiently strong so as to allow the sock to be attached to the heel counter so that when the sock is pulled the heel counter does not tear or degrade. In a variation, the heel counter should be of sufficient strength so as to accommodate metal eyelets at the edge of the heel counter so that the sock can be attached to the heel counter.

The sock can be made of any or a plurality of materials that are typical for socks. Typical materials include synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, or various polyolefins, or natural materials such as cotton, wool, bamboo, linen, cashmere, or mohair, or semi-synthetic materials such as micromodal fabrics (made from the pulp of beech trees), or blends of any combination of these. In an embodiment, the socks may have a high proportion of high tech polyester that allows for wicking of liquids away from the skin of the wearer but is combined with the softness that is provided by the natural materials and micromodal fabrics.

Attaching the sock to the overshoe can be achieved by any of a plurality of methods. The sock to heel counter connection can be in one embodiment permanent, in another embodiment, semi-permanent, or in another embodiment, temporary. Glue may be used to attach the sock to the heel counter but it should be understood that polyester does not bind to many types of glues so that an acrylonitrile super glue may need to be used if a high proportion of polyester is present. Other glues that tend to work well with plastics include epoxy glues, or various solvent cements. In contrast, the natural fibers adhere to most glues so that the higher proportion of natural fiber that is used, the better most glues will work. However, it should be understood that the glue should be chosen so as to adhere well to both the sock as well as the heel counter.

In an embodiment, the sock may be attached to the heel counter by a glue web made from urethane, or polyester, wherein the sock is adhered to the heel counter by heat and pressure.

In an embodiment, another means of attaching the sock to the heel counter may include stitching/sewing the fabric from the sock into the edge of the plastic. In this variation, the heel counter should be of a sufficiently narrow thickness so as to allow a needle to go through the plastic of the heel counter. Alternatively, a thicker heel counter can be used if one were to drill holes at the edge of the heel counter that allows one to pass thread that is part of the sock through the holes allowing the sock to be attached to the heel counter.

In an embodiment, the sock may be attached to the heel counter in a less permanent manner by use of hook and loop that is connected to both the sock and the heel counter. One strip may be connected at the appropriate position on the sock and a second strip may be attached at the top of the heel counter allowing the sock to be attached to the heel counter at a position that is shown, for example, in FIG. 9 . The sock can be removed from its attachment to the heel counter by pulling on the sock allowing the sock to be removed by a force that typically has to be used to remove one hook and loop strip from the hook and loop strip to which it is adhered.

In an embodiment, the consumer may have a plurality of overshoe/sock combinations that come as part of a kit. The kit may comprise any combination of different color overshoes, different color socks, various size overshoes, and socks that are permanently or temporarily connected to the overshoes. The kit may contain instructions that explains how the overshoe/sock combination is to be connected to the shoe. The kit may also comprise a pair of shoes over which the plurality of overshoes is designed to fit. The shoes may be specially adapted to accommodate the overshoes so that the overshoes can be easily placed over and attached to the shoe.

The portion of the overshoe that covers the sole (i.e., the overshoe sole 15) and/or heel of the shoe may be made of a different material than the material that comprises the inside and outside uppers 10, 8. The overshoe sole 15 may be made of a material of which tennis shoe soles are typical made. This includes carbon rubber, blown rubber, polyurethane, or combinations thereof. The overshoe sole 15 can be made of a material that is designed to withstand walking and/or running on it so that wear is retarded relative to other materials, such as, for example the material that comprises the uppers.

In an embodiment, the upper of the overshoe may be made of a stretchable material such as cotton shirting or cotton poplin (generally a mix of cotton and spandex or lycra in a 97-3% mix), jersey knits, lycra, spandex, or elastane, neoprene rubber, nylon, power mesh (mix of nylon and spandex), stretch chiffon (silk or polyester and spandex), stretch cotton jacquard (may contain wool, polyester and cotton), stretch cotton sateen, stretch denim (denim cotton and spandex), stretch lace, canvas and spandex mix, stretch satin, stretch tulle (nylon or polyester and spandex), stretch viscose jacquard (wood pulp and elastane), stretch velvet, stretch wool, woolen jersey fabric, and mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, the stretchable fabric should be sufficiently strong so as to not tear or rip but sufficiently stretchable so that it can be stretched sufficiently so that a shoe can fit in it yet when the shoe has the overshoe over it, the overshoe is taut.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an overshoe-sock combination that comprises an overshoe and a sock that are affixed together.

In an embodiment, the overshoe-sock combination may have the overshoe configured to fit over a shoe and the sock is designed to be worn by a wearer and designed to be inserted and fit into the shoe. In a variation, the sock is affixed at a heel counter of the overshoe. In a variation, the sock may be affixed around a circumference of a foot opening of the overshoe. In a variation, the sock may be affixed to the overshoe by glue or by sewing.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may comprise one or more snap fastener buttons and sockets that are configured to snap onto the shoe. In an embodiment, the overshoe may comprise a plurality of snap fastener buttons and sockets that are present and are positioned on the overshoe in a position that is designed to fit over an eye stay of the shoe.

In a variation, the overshoe may comprise craters or mounds, wherein the craters or mounds are designed to fit into corresponding mounds or craters on the shoe.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may further comprise one or more snap fasteners.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may be affixed to the sock by one or more of hook and loop, stitching/sewing, or glue, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may comprise one or more of canvas, carbon rubber, blown rubber, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate derivatives, or copolymers thereof.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may be substantially flat in an open position when the overshoe is not covering the shoe, and substantially in a shape of a shoe when it is in a closed position covering the shoe. In a variation, the overshoe may have snap fasteners that allow the open positioned shoe to snap onto the shoe that converts the overshoe into the closed position.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an overshoe comprising a) a sole that comprises mounds or craters positioned on the sole of the overshoe so that the mounds or craters can be operationally attached to correspondingly positioned craters or mounds on a sole of a shoe, b) an upper portion that comprises a stretchable fabric that has an opening that allows the shoe to fit into the overshoe wherein said sole is connected to said upper portion.

In a variation, the opening may be a slit or the opening may be a topline opening. In a variation, the slit and/or topline opening should be large enough so that the shoe can fit into the overshoe.

In an embodiment, the stretchable fabric may comprise spandex, lycra, or elastane and the sole may comprise rubber or polyurethane or mixtures thereof. The stretchable fabric may contain many of the other materials discussed supra.

In a variation, the overshoe may comprise mounds and the shoe may comprise correspondingly positioned craters. In a variation, the overshoe may comprise craters and the shoe may comprise correspondingly positioned mounds.

In a variation, the overshoe may further comprise a part of snap fasteners and the shoe may comprise the correspondingly positioned other part of the snap fasteners allowing the overshoe to be snapped into the shoe.

In an embodiment, the overshoe may further comprise a sock. The sock may be operationally attached to the overshoe and designed to fit in the shoe when the overshoe is positioned and placed over the shoe.

In a variation, the sock may comprise polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyolefins, cotton, wool, bamboo, linen, cashmere, mohair, micromodal fabrics, or combinations thereof. The sock may also comprise additional materials such as lycra, elastane, or spandex that give the sock additional stretchability. In a variation, the may be attached to the overshoe by glue or by sewing.

The present invention also relates to methods of wearing the overshoe and overshoe/sock combination, the method of making, and the methods of using the same.

It should be understood that there are a number of variations that are described above and it is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that any feature that is described above can be combined with any other feature as long as there is a compatibility between those features. Simply because a feature is not shown on a particular figure, it does not mean that other features that are described and shown herein cannot be present in that figure. For example, if an overshoe is shown without a sock, it should be understood that a sock can easily be added to be made a part of that overshoe and can be attached to the overshoe at any position and by any of the means discussed herein. When a range is given, it should be understood that any subrange that fits within that range is contemplated as an end point for the range. For example, if a range of 10-20 is enumerated, every real number that is present between 10 and 20 is contemplated as an end point for a sub-range that fits within the enumerated range. In any event, the invention is defined by the below claims. 

I claim:
 1. An overshoe-sock combination that comprises an overshoe and a sock that are affixed together.
 2. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 1, wherein the overshoe is configured to fit over a shoe and the sock is designed to be worn by a wearer and designed to be inserted and fit into the shoe.
 3. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 1, wherein the sock is affixed at a heel counter of the overshoe.
 4. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 1, wherein the sock is affixed around a circumference of a foot opening of the overshoe.
 5. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 3, wherein the sock is affixed to the overshoe by glue or by sewing.
 6. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 2, wherein the overshoe comprises one or more snap fastener buttons and sockets that are configured to snap onto the shoe.
 7. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 6, wherein a plurality of snap fastener buttons and sockets are present at are positioned on the overshoe in a position that is designed to fit over an eye stay of the shoe.
 8. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 1, wherein the overshoe comprises craters or mounds, wherein the craters or mounds are designed to fit into corresponding mounds or craters on a shoe.
 9. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 8, wherein the overshoe further comprises one or more snap fasteners.
 10. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 1, wherein the overshoe and the sock are affixed by one or more of hook and loop, stitching/sewing, or glue.
 11. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 10, wherein the overshoe is made of one or more of canvas, carbon rubber, blown rubber, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate derivatives, or copolymers thereof.
 12. The overshoe-sock combination of claim 2, wherein the overshoe is substantially flat in an open position when the overshoe is not covering the shoe, and substantially in a shape of a shoe when it is in a closed position covering the shoe.
 13. An overshoe comprising a) a sole that comprises mounds or craters positioned on the sole of the overshoe so that the mounds or craters can be operationally attached to correspondingly positioned craters or mounds on a sole of a shoe, b) an upper portion that comprises a stretchable fabric that has an opening that allows the shoe to fit into the overshoe wherein said sole is connected to said upper portion.
 14. The overshoe of claim 13, wherein the opening is a slit or the opening is a topline opening.
 15. The overshoe of claim 13, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises spandex, lycra, or elastane and the sole comprises rubber or polyurethane or mixtures thereof.
 16. The overshoe of claim 13, wherein the overshoe comprises mounds and the shoe comprises correspondingly positioned craters.
 17. The overshoe of claim 13, wherein the overshoe further comprises snap fasteners.
 18. The overshoe of claim 13, wherein the overshoe further comprises a sock.
 19. The overshoe of claim 18, wherein the sock comprises polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyolefins, cotton, wool, bamboo, linen, cashmere, mohair, micromodal fabrics, or combinations thereof.
 20. The overshoe of claim 19, wherein the sock is attached by glue or by sewing. 